Could use some input on this

[Steve]

Well I think I may have a problem I could use some input on. Last week I posted about raising my PH because some of my fish in the Mbuna tank were acting a bit odd with shaking their heads and such so I checked my PH and because of the wood in the tank it had dropped to 6.8. So I did the crushed coral thing and now it is holding pretty steady around 7.4-7.6Ph, but I think I may have something else causing the head shaking.

Stated out with one fish shaking its head, now there are about 3-4 that are doing it on what I would call a pretty regular basis. Along with the head shaking they will flash every once in awhile, as well as bang/rub their heads on decor/intake tubes.

Spent a few hours online last night trying to see if I could find what may be causing this and what I have come up with is that is sounds most likely to be is gill flukes. Does this sound like possible gill flukes to anyone else? And if so then from what I can find online it says prazipro is the best med to cure flukes, is that correct?

Thanks for any help.

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

Steve, as I said in an earlier reply I was experiencing the same issues with my fish, I have since removed the driftwood and everyone is back to normal. No more flashing and no more shaking...No sure that is the what you want to do with you tank, but it definitely had something to do with the driftwood...

[Steve]

  The tank has had driftwood in it all along, and the one fish was doing the head shaking before I even added the second piece of wood, so I honestly don't think the wood has anything to do with it. Everything I read about gill fluke sounds exactly like what some of my fish are doing so I am pretty certain that is what is going on. I just got home with some Prazipro and am about to do a WC and add it so we'll see what that does.

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

Good Luck !

[Ron]

I've experienced what you are seeing Steve, but not necessarily in relation to driftwood. I'm also not 100% sure of the cause specifically. I've come across a variety of suggestions - pH, dGH, KH, parasites, etc.

IME, aside from ich, parasites aren't very common if you get your fish from reputable sources. The only fish I've ever lost with 100% to blame on parasites were clown loaches imported from overseas. (Figured it out because I treated the next few I bought and they are still with me to this day).

I hope things work out - not sure I'd be too worried about the flashing unless you have very abrasive decor in the tank. If so, they may damage their scales/skin and fungus could become a concern, or in severe cases, significant lacerations could occur.

[Steve]

I did a 50% WC and treated the entire tank with 3 tsp of praziopro about 6 hrs ago. The treatment is supposed to be done 2-3 times every 5 days over a couple week period with WC's in between so I'm going to follow this route and see if this clears it up. I always hate to med my tanks because I don't like adding some chemical I don't know about to my water, but I did some pretty in depth searching last night till the wee hours of the morning and from the sounds of it this prazipro is super safe for all fish yet very effective against flukes. So if it is flukes then this should clear them up, if not then I'll at least know what it isn't and can go from there.

I'll keep this posted on how it goes just in case anyone else ever experiences it down the road maybe this post can be of help to them. Keeping my fingers crossed this is nothing major I hope.

[four_by_ken]

They looking better?



I agree... this isnt due to the wood.

[Steve]

They looking better?

I think there might be some improvement already, but I don't want to say for sure just yet till I've watched them through out the day so I can make sure it's not just my wishful thinking. The head shaking and flashing was happening almost every 10 seconds yesterday. So far this morning in the time I have been trying to watch them it's still happening a bit, but now maybe every 45 seconds to 1min so I think it seems like maybe the med is at least starting to have an effect.

[Steve]

Just updating. Some (most fish) are much...MUCH better. THe Red Zebra and one of the Clown Loaches that were head shakin' are much better just one day later. On the other hand, the large venustus which was bad, is still having issues. He's better I "think" than was yesterday, but still, showing signs. We'll see tomorrow how he his.

[rcombs]

Just updating. Some (most fish) are much...MUCH better. THe Red Zebra and one of the Clown Loaches that were head shakin' are much better just one day later. On the other hand, the large venustus which was bad, is still having issues. He's better I "think" than was yesterday, but still, showing signs. We'll see tomorrow how he his.

glad to hear progress. Good luck.

[Steve]

Happy to report that all fish (even the Venustus) are doing better now.The flashing was happening about every 10 seconds a few days ago, now today I haven't seen any sign of flashing at all and only one or two slight twitches of the head if even that. I had never used or even heard of this Prazipro before but after only 3 days it seems to have all but  totally rid the tank of flukes. Seems like some very good stuff.

I read that the fluke eggs have a 21 days period till they hatch so I am going to continue treating the tank for the next 3 weeks just to be on the safe side, but looks like everyone is better and doing well now thankfully.

[rcombs]

Do You have to increase water changes so chemicals don't become too  unbalanced

[Steve]

It says to do a large water change before each dosage. I usually do 50% WC each week so now I'mt doing 50% WC every 4 days while I'm dosing.